In an increasingly digital age, many women are turning to artificial intelligence, specifically apps like ChatGPT, for what they perceive as unbiased beauty advice. However, authorSamantha Brick's personal experiment with ChatGPT's 'glow-up' suggestions reveals a concerning trend of AI dictating unrealistic beauty standards. Her experience began with submitting selfies to the AI, which promptly generated an 'ideal image' featuring smooth cheeks, plump lips, and a wrinkle-free forehead, resembling a newborn rather than a mature woman. This blurring of reality and fiction, where AI prescribes cosmetic 'tweakments,' is highlighted as frankly horrifying.

Brick, at 54, proudly states she has never succumbed to cosmetic procedures and is confident in her natural appearance. She views herself as her own best friend and advocate, a philosophy that has previously landed her in controversy. In 2012, a piece she wrote about her self-confidence went viral, leading to widespread trolling and criticism from female columnists. Yet, over a decade later, the world has seemingly caught up, with social media normalizing self-acceptance through hashtags like '#be kind' and '#body positivity,' where it is now acceptable to express self-appreciation without fear of judgment.

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Despite this shift, Brick notes her surprise at women flocking to ChatGPT for an AI verdict on their looks. A US study even suggested people are more open to negative appearance feedback from AI, viewing it as an honest, unemotional judge. Brick, however, remains unconvinced of AI's unbiased appraisal. Driven by curiosity, she uploaded a photo of herself wearing makeup and asked, 'Am I hot or not?' The AI, while refusing a direct judgment, offered kind words about her vibrancy and engaging smile, then suggested an 'objective style-and-beauty analysis' for enhancements.

Prompted by the AI, Brick asked about Botox. ChatGPT responded that it 'could be an option' but was 'by no means essential.' When the AI generated images of a 'very Botoxed' version of her, Brick giggled, finding the doctored image made her look like a 'doll' or a character from a reality show, prompting her husband to ask her to promise not to pursue such changes. Undeterred, Brick then uploaded a make-up-free selfie, fresh from the pool, asking if she was 'attractive for a 54-year-old woman.' Again, the AI offered positive reinforcement about her 'clear skin, a warm smile and healthy hair,' but then, unsolicited, offered an 'age-specific glow-up plan' focusing on 'non-invasive tweaks and style tips.'

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The 'glow-up' plan provided by ChatGPT was extensive and shocking in its suggested costs and procedures. It included numerous filler injections for her cheeks, jawline, chin, and lips, despite her not having supplied a 'toothy smile' for teeth whitening suggestions. The estimated budget for these 'tweakments' over the next decade was £23,350, with an additional £8,600 for hair and brows. Most astonishingly, when Brick inquired about how appearance could improve her career as a writer, ChatGPT suggested that while words and ideas are primary, image plays a supporting role. It then projected 'total projected extra income of £14,500–£49,000-plus' if she leveraged her visibility through these cosmetic enhancements.

Samantha Brick concludes that such AI beauty advice should be taken 'with a very large pinch of salt.' She emphasizes that ChatGPT is an AI language model trained on internet data and human input, making its advice potentially skewed and commercially driven. Despite the initial pique to her vanity, Brick resolves to stick to her gut instinct and self-worth. Her ultimate advice, offered freely, is a powerful counter-message to AI-dictated beauty: 'You’re uniquely fabulous just as you are.'